Planting Seeds of Faith: Children’s Ministry Begins in the Nursery—

This past summer, I rested from lesson planning and volunteer management in our church nursery, staffing it with only our paid workers. It was a needed respite—one that God, in His grace and wisdom, used to reveal what happens in the nursery when Christian community and biblical instruction are absent. What I expected to be simple rest became an unexpected lesson in the overarching effects of His presence—and His absence.

Stepping back gave me a bird’s-eye view of the nursery’s condition. Over those first weeks, I saw clearly that it had been orbiting around an “easier” way of doing things rather than around the radiance of Jesus to our children and their families. Keeping the paid workers happy had quietly become the goal. But running a nursery well—safely, in order, with effective teaching, full coverage of paid and volunteer workers, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere—takes real time, much of it on Sunday mornings. I had grown tired of that rigor and pulled back further and further, leaving the important work to the hired staff.

Along the way, I’d also lowered my expectations of volunteers, settling for gratitude that a warm body had shown up at all. By the end of the summer, our nursery had become just a room that kept kids safe—doing little to honor them as the image-bearers they are. Gone, too, was the opportunity for our congregation to love and serve the children and families they worship alongside every week.

So, how do we reflect God’s goodness, glory, and sovereignty to the children of the nursery and their families? Hebrews 1:3 says Jesus “is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.” What is the true center of our nurseries? I began picturing Jesus seated on His throne, delighting in and enjoying each of these tiniest souls He created and sustains. That picture—of Him loving, caring for, and planning for these precious babies as they play, cry, sing, and learn—lifted the burden of management and replaced it with the joy of a gift. To help cultivate and tend the smallest hearts and minds, while reaching their families at the same time, is such an exciting way to live! And it’s so temporary, but unlike work done apart from Christ, this work carries eternal consequences. We too easily forget what a privilege it is to participate in the work of God’s Kingdom. I do not make the nursery run; God Himself accomplishes what only He can, because it glorifies and exalts Him. He simply asks that I be still (Psalm 88), and He lets me join in His work.

In practice, His work includes praying for and over your nursery, giving thanks for the chance to glorify God to these children and families. When you work with volunteers, let that same excitement and joy show. Invite congregants into this unique, fulfilling opportunity to serve. Set high goals for the nursery: committed volunteers, intentional storytelling, and a real connecting point for families. Once you’ve communicated policies, schedules, lessons, and crafts, post visible reminders around the room. Simple, memorable phrases like “Snack time = Story time!” help volunteers stay on track—and the children will even help remind them. Greet your volunteers when they arrive and thank them when they leave; let them feel how appreciated and important their presence is. Keep lessons short and easy to understand and send a craft or coloring page that is tied to a Bible verse from the lesson home with each child so the story continues at home.

Above all, remember the awesomeness of Jesus’s presence with us and His invitation to rule over this domain He’s placed in our hands. What an invitation to treasure! Extend it to everyone in your church—not with apologetic burden, but with the joyful excitement of participating alongside God’s radiant Son.